Development Bank Commended For Ploughing Interest Back Into The Community

Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 22, 2017) -- A Kittitian educationist is commending the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis for working with the people, and for its proven record in the promotion of education in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

"The Development Bank cares about children and their education," said Acting Head Teacher at the Estridge Primary School, Ms Suzette Cannonier.

The Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis had been approached by Ms Cannonier earlier this year as she was looking for assistance to do enhancement work at the school since it was partially tiled. She noted that she approached the Development Bank because "I see education as a priority for the bank."

Ms Cannonier made the remarks on Friday May 19 when she showed Development Bank's Public Relations Consultant, Mr Peter Ngunjiri, what had been accomplished with the funds the school had received as a donation from the bank in February this year.

"I recognise that Development Bank is working for the people," said the Acting Head Teacher. "It is a people's bank and I would encourage anyone who when for example they want to build they go to Development Bank because as you can see the work goes back to the community."

Marketing Officer at the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis, Ms Vernitha Maynard, who had in February of this year presented the bank's sponsorship cheque for the amount required to cover buying of the tiles and other expenses, expressed how pleased she was that the school had put into proper use funds that had been donated by the Bank.

"Our children are the future and as such we must invest in them whether it is socially, emotionally or physically," said Ms Maynard. "An investment in the physical environment such as their school is an important part of our mantra of making a sustained positive difference in people's lives."

Ms Suzette Cannonier, who had been transferred to the school in September 2016 from the Joshua Obadiah Williams Primary School in Molineux, observed that the Estridge Primary School was partially tiled and as a concerned administrator who cared for the children's wellbeing she decided to do something about it.

She said to herself that there was the need to enhance the beauty of the school, and luckily for her and the institution they had a project where some overseas donors came on board and painted the classrooms. They also attached some cupboards, did some work with Formica counter tops, but when she looked around it even inspired her more to get the floor done.

"So I decided let me approach the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis and see what will happen," said Ms Cannonier. "I made a request detailing what we intended to do at the school and my request was successful, and using the Public Works Department I was able to tile the floors."

The Acting Head Teacher observed that the project is still on-going. "We are not completely finished but if you look at the school it is very breath-taking. We are complemented daily when visitors come to the school. Some say it looks like a hotel. So we are very appreciative for what Development Bank has done for Estridge Primary School. We are so grateful."

Ms Cannonier is not the only one who has been touched by the added beauty that was made possible through the generosity of the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis. Pupils attending the school had something to say about the school's new look.

Grade Six Monitress Rhianna Davis said: "The school, when it was not tiled completely, it kind of looked like a basement, but it now looks like a beautiful place. The tiled floor is much safer to play on."

Her counterpart in Grade Six, Monitor Kanyea Dolphin said: "When the school did not have the tiles, when one was going to the bathrooms some of us may fall, now that is not happening."

Estridge Primary School which was established in 2000 is a small school in a serene country-side setting, with 53 students. According to Ms Suzette Cannonier, it has seven classes and seven teachers. The donation from the Development Bank has made a lot of difference as it has given both the teachers and their pupils a reason to feel at home and more comfortable while in school.

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